After facing a backlash over its openly racist stance, the University of Minnesota has decided to drop its requirement of only nonwhites being able to apply for their summer research program.
According to a posting in the Office of Undergraduate Studies of the University of Minnesota, the Multicultural Summer Research Opportunities Program is “a 10-week intensive summer program where undergraduate students of color are paired with a faculty member and work on a research topic.”
The program offers a $6,000 stipend to participants. This money is intended to cover personal expenses and research. The eligibility criteria did require that applicants identify themselves as people of color. As part of the application, applicants are asked to provide their demographic information.
The Equal Protection Project of the Legal Insurrection Foundation (EPP) called on the university to review its application process and make it accessible to all students, regardless of race.
“The U. Minnesota segregated summer program is inexcusable, and it’s shocking that a major university would so openly make educational opportunities open only to students of a certain skin color,” Bill Jacobson, president of the Equal Protection Project (EPP), told Fox News yesterday. “EqualProtect.org calls on the university immediately to open up the summer program to students of all races, ethnicities, and skin colors.”
He continued:
Brown v. Bd. was the last time we heard of racial discrimination in schools as a government policy. Sadly, it is now resurrected under the banner of Diversity, equity, and inclusion. It’s illegal and immoral, no matter what you call it. U. Minnesota must stop treating its students differently based solely on their skin color.
We don’t accept the increasing trend of people who think it is OK to discriminate based on race, as long as they are discriminating against whites, Asians, or other races. There is no acceptable form of racial bias. Denying white students educational opportunities is not a form of racial justice. Their conduct is unacceptable.
A spokesperson told The New York Post that, as part of its routine processes, the university would “review the selection criteria of the thousands of grants, scholarships, and other financial awards given to our students every year.” They also said they would “evaluate the criteria of this student support program and make any necessary updates.”
Legal Insurrection reported shortly after the statement’s publication that the university has adjusted its eligibility requirements to include white people. Students are still required by law to disclose their demographic background.
“Clearly, U. Minnesota is no longer promoting a racist agenda.” We are awaiting formal confirmation that U. Minnesota’s website has not changed,” noted the legal blog, adding:
The problem is not solved by this change, as there are still students who were denied an educational opportunity because of their skin color. Will U. Minnesota reopen its application process? Will the university offer more opportunities to those students who missed out? More needs to be done than just dropping racist ads and program requirements. We will continue to pursue the matter but, for now, let’s celebrate our victory in achieving equality and equal protection.
